In a scene reminiscent of my first book signing, I found myself having to email my publisher to say the promotional leaflets hadn’t arrived yesterday (or today, actually). I’m assuming that Mr Wilcox at Borders hasn’t received his either, and my signing doesn’t appear on the Borders website (yep, I’m officially pathetic - I’ve been checking their site every day, just in case). This is shaping up to be one of the best kept secrets in book signing history! That is, had it not been for the lovely people who responded to the email sent out this week - even if only a few of you who said you’d come actually turn up, I’ll be touched. I’m also grateful to John at Literature North East for adding my signing to the events page.

I also emailed BBC Radio Newcastle and some local press contacts that I (and DA) have dealt with, in the hope that they will mention the signing. Sometimes though, and I may have given you this link in the past, all the publicity in the world doesn’t help you. Obviously, I’d be happier if lots of people came and the book sold out, but I don’t expect miracles!

I also got my first royalty statement today. I won’t go into the gory details, but unless someone gives me a huge advance for my next book(s) - if there are any - I’m never going to be rich…or buy a big house…or a car…or a round of drinks at an expensive bar, for that matter! Although money would have been nice, its the little things that remind you why it was worth writing the book. This morning, I checked my Inbox and opened an email from a lady, called Elizabeth, who’d taken the time to contact me and tell me how much she’d liked Karma - that made me smile and, as they say in the Mastercard adverts, that’s priceless!!!

Firstly, I should make it clear that I am grateful the local press has finally taken an interest (why couldn’t it be in my book, rather than my condition) but…

I hadn’t intended to read the Chronicle article, as I wanted to avoid seeing any pictures of me, but a few people pointed out some…inaccuracies, so I thought I’d better take a look. It’s funny how you can be quoted as saying things you wouldn’t say in a million years - I believe it’s called ‘artistic licence’…but here’s the article.

Most importantly, “biographical”, my ass! I share few character traits with Paige and certainly haven’t had her experiences (thank goodness). Also, I was extremely put out by the comment regarding Gordon being the “breadwinner” throughout most of our relationship…errrr, no. I have worked whenever possible, and had a relatively ‘well’ period from late 1996 to 2002 when I worked full time (by sacrificing a social life in order to direct my energy towards work). I’m not “concentrating on my writing” - I suffer from CFS, so write as/if and when I feel able. I write to occupy my mind, not to get published. Writing is not a career for me (as much as I would love it to be) and certainly doesn’t bring in money (thank god I have Gordon as the ‘breadwinner’, eh?). And at no point did I say Gordon was a ‘Tower of Strength’!!! That caption should have probably appeared under the photo of me and my mam, rather than the one which said I was unable to work but had managed to write a book (which could be taken a number of ways…)

I should clarify the “chocolate milkshake” comment: the doctor suggested that if I drank chocolate milkshake every day, I’d have plenty of energy (nice medicine, poor result). The doctor who suggested I was feigning illness was a woman (not that it makes a difference) and made me thank my lucky stars that my current doctor is so nice, helpful and approachable!

I have only read the version on the internet, rather than the one in the newspaper (I assume that the textual errors are only on the internet version and not in the paper itself). I didn’t say this: “My book involves ME, as the lead character has recently recovered from.”

The good thing was that the story did highlight the fact that very little is known about the condition and that more needs to be done to help those suffering from it. Although I feel the story could have been written better, it was done by a trainee (according to what I was told when I rang the Chronicle and asked them TO PLEASE MENTION MY BOOK-SIGNING AT BORDERS IN THE ARTICLE) so I excuse every mis-quote, as we all have to start somewhere…

And finally…the reporter asked where copies of the book were available, but didn’t mention it. You can buy Karma at Waterstones in NEWCASTLE (Emerson Chambers - near Fenwicks/Monument), HEXHAM and DARLINGTON. Soon to be available in Borders (Gateshead) - if you can’t get to the signing, contact the store to order your signed copy. It is also available online at all major book stockists.

Well, not me, but the book. I’ve just had a reply from the Manager of Waterstones Hexham and she tells me they have sold out of their stock of Karma (for the second time)! Yay! She has ordered more.

Now don’t get too excited: this is only double figures and doesn’t even compare with the 10,000 books sold by my counterpart Claire Allan (wow!), but I think it’s fantastic! The book’s had very little publicity, few reviews and no huge marketing campaign so this means my little story is making it all on it’s own merit! I’m so pleased but I still need to work on getting the book into more bookstores, particularly locally. Unfortunately, like last time I emailed, the Metrocentre Waterstones hasn’t replied to me, and I have re-contacted WHSmith to see if I could interest their local book buyer. I have also contacted Durham Literature Festival to see if there is any opportunity for me to get involved - I don’t hold out much hope, as I think their programme is already in place for this year. But you’ve gotta try, try, try!

Oh, and I’m loving answering questions on the Book Club Forum site. It’s so interesting comparing my own experience with that of my co-featured author, Samantha Grosser.

PS I’ve been told people have had problems trying to list me as a Facebook friend - as there’s no ‘Add Friends’ thingy, just use the send me a message option and I’ll add you to my list!

Here. As of today, and throughout August, I am one of the ‘Featured Authors’ at The Book Club Forum. I hope they’re gentle with me!

You may be wondering how the photo shoot went for the Evening Chronicle yesterday. The photographer was friendly but it was very obvious that he didn’t like my dogs - unfortunately, that seemed to encourage them to jump up at him. I was surprised as they aren’t usually so boisterous. It didn’t seem to go down too well. He asked me to find some photos from childhood, so I went upstairs (taking Holly with me, as she seemed to unnerve him) and grabbed a photo album from the spare room. The spare room is my dumping ground for mess and un-ironed clothes. Why is this significant? Well, I returned downstairs, dog and photo album in hands and felt something dragging along beside me. When I looked down, there was a pair of Gordon’s boxer shorts snagged on to the beading on my jeans!!! I was SO embarrassed as I hadn’t realised what they were until I picked them up. I quickly stuffed them beside the sofa, hoping the photographer hadn’t seen them (but knowing that he probably had)! That was worthy of Paige, the heroine of Karma! I told you I intended to be brutally honest with you in this Blog - surely sharing that story proves it!

Then, he decided he wanted photos outside (arty shots), so I rang my mam to ask if she’d look after the dogs for a little while. When she arrived, he insisted on taking photos of us together as it would be on the front page (presumably of an insert and not THE front page). Mam was not happy as she had no make-up on. She will still look better than me in the pics as she is far more photogenic than I am! Then off we went to Barmoor for some ‘action shots’ of me writing and then me hanging on to an old pit wheel thingy (which is like a momument to all the mining that went on in the area - sadly, someone has gratiffied it). Unfortunately, I had to remove my sunglasses for the piccies (if you know me, you’ll know it’s rare for me to be out in even slight brightness without shades) so spent the remainder of the day out of action with a migraine! Between you and I, I’m a bit worried that this is a larger piece than I imagined. For a start, it’s going to be in either this Saturday or next…and they took an awful lot of photos. I just have my fingers crossed that the article is accurate, I don’t offend anyone and that the photographer has performed some miraculous feat and made me look…well, even average would do!

UPDATE: Just had email from one of the Newcastle Waterstones and the lady said she was going to contact the wholesalers. Surely a good sign?